Man City in 40 million pounds swoop for Joe Cole

London, Apr 17 (ANI): Manchester City is ready to offer Joe Cole 40 million pounds for a four year contract, making the Chelsea footballer the Premier League's best-paid player.

Joe Cole will be free this summer after failing to agree a new deal at Chelsea and City wants to net him by giving him a remarkable 180,000 pound-a-week deal.

Cole, 28, has yet to make up his mind, but City's offer is another statement of their intent to buy big again this summer, The Daily Express reports.

City boss Roberto Mancini made it clear on Friday that he wants to establish the club at the top of the European game, and believes United and the other Premier League big guns are running scared of their financial muscle.

"A lot of players could come here next season if we play in the Champions League. I think Manchester City can be a very important team in the future," he said.

"We could become a bigger threat than Chelsea. We work for this because we want to be like them or, if possible, even better. I would like to think we can become one of Europe's top clubs next season," Mancini said. (ANI)